FINAL GPSJ Summer edition 2024 ONLINE VERSION.2pdf - Flipbook - Page 25
FUSION21 - COVER STORY
This means that individual measures
can be designed to suit each
property and without it, a supply
partner would be unable to start the
works.
This may cause significant project
delays, which can lead to suppliers
declining project opportunities,
leaving landlords needing to
commence their procurement option
appraisal process all over again.
Towers advises: “Even though
funding for Wave 3 of the SHDF
hasn’t been confirmed yet, now is
the time to start conversations with
preferred supply partners to identify
information gaps.
“You can gather this information
yourself or use the Decarbonisation
Framework to procure a consultant
or supplier who can manage both
the surveys and delivery of the
works, saving time and a faster start
on site.”
Engaging with potential suppliers
early is essential to maximise
opportunities, but it is also important
to engage with tenants to get them
on board with the projected works
and understand the benefits.
“Retrofit works are not solely about
hitting national targets,” Towers
emphasises, “They can positively
impact the lives of tenants by
lowering energy bills and increasing
thermal comfort.”
That was certainly the case for
residents living in City of Lincoln
Council properties who were facing
challenges with fuel poverty. The
council accessed the framework to
procure a £2.7 million retrofit scheme
with YES Energy Solutions on
behalf of the Central and Southern
Lincolnshire Consortium, covering
four local authorities.
A broad range of measures were
installed across 242 households,
including external wall insulation,
air source heat pumps, and solar
PV. The majority of homes received
multiple measures, enhancing Energy
Performance Certificate ratings
through a considered whole house
approach.
“There was a high volume of
vulnerable customers involved,”
says Towers, “So YES used Level 3
accredited customer-centric advisors
to guide them through the journey,
explaining the benefits and savings of
different energy efficiency measures.”
The impacts of this work have
been clear to see from the customer
feedback, which included: “I no
longer need to worry about inviting
people round and it being cold, I’m
proud of my home” and another
said: “Along with the solar panels
generating power, we now use
somewhere in the region of 30% less
electricity.”
The Hyde Group, a social housing
provider in London and the South
East, also engaged with suppliers
GPSJ
Fusion21’s head office in Knowsley, Merseyside
and tenants early in their £318,000
decarbonisation project across 22
homes. Both Hyde and their supplier,
Dyson Energy Services, held resident
engagement events to discuss the
measures, answer questions, and
gather feedback.
Measures included the installation
of renewable solar PV systems on all
22 homes, with 19 homes receiving
air source heat pumps and seven
homes getting loft insulation top-ups
to meet the recommended 300mm
level.
“Decarbonisation works can have
impacts beyond energy bills and
thermal comfort. We always aim to
put purpose back into procurement,”
says Towers.
For instance, Matrix Housing
Partnership, led by GreenSquareAccord,
utilised our Decarbonisation
Framework and £12 million in SHDF
funding to make more than 900
homes more energy efficient.
Alongside the transformative works,
Matrix Housing Partnership is also
being supported to deliver social
value in its communities, including
having one defibrillator donated
to a community first responder
organisation, arranging skip-hire
for residents, donating footballs to
community teams, and goods to
food banks.
Matrix Housing Partnership is a
consortium of seven social landlords
including GreenSquareAccord,
Black Country Housing Group,
Citizen Housing Group, Pioneer
Housing and Community Group,
Rooftop Housing Association, Trent
& Dove Housing and Trident Housing
Association.
In addition, Fusion21 supplier SBS
is investing 0.5% of the contract
value to support local activities on
each project and one apprenticeship
is being created per £1 million
contract spend. This project has
already supported 25 full-time roles
at SBS and 200 full-time roles in the
supply chain.
“Working with Fusion21 on the
procurement for your decarbonisation
project comes with many additional
benefits.” Towers concludes.
He adds: “We facilitate the end-toend process with our expertise, built
through 22 years of supply chain
experience.
“This includes supporting you
in preparing for major funding
opportunities like the SHDF Wave
3 and ensuring that the works fit in
with your long-term strategy. We
understand the challenges that
come with decarbonisation and
can help you find the right suppliers
and consultants to overcome them.
And the time to start having these
conversations is now.”
Photo by GreenSquareAccord.
Photo by GreenSquareAccord.
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